Cancel New Scientist: Step-by-Step Guide

How to cancel New Scientist in malaysia and reclaim your subscription rights

What is New Scientist and why you might want to cancel

New Scientist is a weekly science and technology magazine available as a digital subscription, print edition, or hybrid plan, built on recurring billing that charges you at fixed intervals unless you actively cancel.

Understanding what you subscribed to

When you signed up for New Scientist, you entered a subscription contract with automatic renewal terms. The service offers digital access to weekly science news, in-depth feature articles, and premium magazine content. You may have subscribed directly through their website, via the Apple App Store, or through Google Play, and this matters when you cancel because each platform has different cancellation routes.

Your subscription renews automatically on a monthly or annual cycle, meaning if you do nothing, your payment method will be charged again and again. This is standard for digital subscriptions, but it also means you must take deliberate action to stop the charges. Understanding exactly where and how you subscribed is the first step toward cancelling successfully and protecting yourself from unwanted renewal charges.

Common plan types and pricing in malaysian ringgit

New Scientist offers several subscription tiers with different price points and access levels. Below is a breakdown of typical plans available to Malaysian readers:

Prices fluctuate based on promotional offers and exchange rates, so the exact amount you see may differ. The key point: if you subscribed to anything beyond a single-issue purchase, your plan will renew automatically unless you cancel before the renewal date.

Your consumer rights when cancelling a magazine subscription

Malaysian consumer law gives you specific rights when cancelling a subscription, and knowing these rights puts you in a position to act confidently.

What the consumer protection act 1999 means for you

Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act 1999 protects you against unfair contract terms and requires businesses to deal with you fairly and transparently. Under this law, New Scientist must make its cancellation terms clear before you subscribe, and they cannot hide cancellation steps or charge you after you have legitimately cancelled.

Your legal position is straightforward: you have the right to cancel a subscription contract. If New Scientist failed to clearly explain how to cancel before you paid, or if they continue charging you after you sent a valid cancellation request, you have grounds to dispute the charge and escalate the complaint to the enforcement body.

The 14-day cooling-off period

New Scientist's own subscription terms state you can cancel within 14 days of subscribing or renewing and receive a refund for that billing period. This is a cooling-off window: if you changed your mind shortly after paying, you do not need a reason to cancel and claim your money back.

This 14-day window runs from the date of your subscription start or renewal date. If you are past this window, you can still cancel, but you will not automatically qualify for a refund unless you have other grounds (for example, non-delivery of a print edition or a billing error). Save your subscription confirmation email because it shows the exact date your plan started, which proves whether you are inside or outside this window.

Who to contact if New Scientist ignores your cancellation

If you cancel correctly and New Scientist continues to charge you, your first escalation point is the company itself. Send a formal written complaint to [email protected], giving them 14 days to respond.

If they do not refund you or acknowledge your cancellation, you can file a complaint with Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup (KPDN) or the Tribunal Tuntutan Konsumen (Consumer Claims Tribunal). Both bodies enforce consumer rights in Malaysia and can order companies to refund you. Tocancel recommends documenting every step: screenshots of your account, copies of emails you sent, and records of charges after cancellation. This evidence will support your complaint if you need to escalate.

Your consumer rights exist to protect you, and enforcement agencies take subscription disputes seriously because they are common.

How to cancel New Scientist: step-by-step methods

Cancelling New Scientist depends on whether you subscribed directly with the publisher or through a third-party app platform, so you must identify your subscription source first, then follow the correct cancellation path.

Check where you subscribed before you cancel

Open your email and search for a receipt or welcome message from New Scientist. Look at the subject line and sender email address. If the email came from [email protected] or subscribe.newscientist.com, you subscribed directly and will cancel via their website or email. If the email came from Apple ([email protected]) or Google Play, you subscribed through an app store and must cancel through that platform instead.

Check your payment method statements or credit card bill. Look at the merchant name: if it says "New Scientist" or "Future PLC", you subscribed directly. If it says "Apple" or "Google", the app platform handled your subscription and that is where you cancel.

This single check saves hours of frustration because cancelling through the wrong channel is the most common reason people think they cancelled when they actually did not.

Cancel a direct New Scientist subscription by email

If you subscribed directly through New Scientist's website, email is your clearest cancellation route. Follow these steps in order:

1. Open an email from the address linked to your New Scientist account
   • Use the same email you gave when you subscribed
   • Do not email from a different address
2. Address the email to [email protected]
   • Type "Subscription Cancellation Request" as the subject line
3. Write a clear, simple cancellation request including:
   • Your full name
   • The email address on your account
   • Your subscription type (for example, "Digital Premium Annual")
   • The date the subscription started or renewed (if you know it)
   • A simple statement: "Please cancel my New Scientist subscription effective immediately" or "effective from the end of the current billing period"
4. Attach a screenshot of your account page, login, or last receipt
   • This proves the subscription is real and in your name
5. Send the email and save a copy for your records
   • Keep the email and any reply as proof you cancelled
6. Wait for a reply within 5-7 business days
   • New Scientist's customer service hours are 8am to 9pm UK time, so if you email during Malaysian business hours, expect a reply in 1-2 working days
   • If you do not hear back after 7 days, send a follow-up email and consider this a sign to escalate (see the next section)

Sending a cancellation email before your renewal date is the safest way to ensure New Scientist stops future charges. Keep the email thread as proof of your cancellation request, especially if you later dispute a charge with your bank.

Cancel through the apple app store

If your subscription appears on your Apple bill, you subscribed through the App Store and must cancel there, not by emailing New Scientist directly.

1. Open the Apple App Store app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
   • On iPhone or iPad: tap your profile picture in the top right
   • On Mac: click your profile picture in the top left
2. Tap "Subscriptions" or "Account Settings" then "Subscriptions"
   • You will see a list of active subscriptions
3. Find "New Scientist" in the list and tap it
   • If you do not see it, scroll down or search
4. Tap "Cancel Subscription" at the bottom of the screen
   • Apple will ask you to confirm; tap "Confirm" or "Yes"
5. You will see a message saying your subscription has ended
   • Take a screenshot as proof
   • You will retain access until the end of the current billing period

The cancellation takes effect immediately in Apple's system. New Scientist cannot charge you again after this date, because Apple controls the billing. No email to New Scientist is needed if you cancel through the App Store.

Cancel through google play

If your subscription charge appears from Google Play on your statement, you subscribed via Google Play and must cancel within that app, not directly with New Scientist.

1. Open the Google Play app on your Android phone or tablet
   • Tap your profile icon in the top right corner
2. Tap "Manage your Google Account" then select the "Subscriptions" tab
   • Or search for "Manage subscriptions" in the Play Store search bar
3. Find "New Scientist" and tap it
   • You will see your plan details and renewal date
4. Tap "Cancel Subscription"
   • Google Play will show you a confirmation page
5. Confirm the cancellation by tapping "Yes, cancel"
   • Take a screenshot showing the cancellation is complete
   • Google will send you a cancellation email

Google Play stops charging you immediately after cancellation. You retain access to the New Scientist app until the end of your current billing period. No further action is needed.

What to do after cancelling your New Scientist subscription

Cancelling is not the end of the process; you must verify that the cancellation took effect and handle any refund requests or data you want to save.

Verify your cancellation within 48 hours

Do not assume your cancellation worked just because you received a confirmation. Log into your New Scientist account (or your Apple/Google account) and check that your subscription status shows as "cancelled" or "inactive". If you cancelled by email, wait 2 business days, then log in and verify.

If your account still shows an active subscription after 48 hours, send a follow-up email to [email protected] with the subject "Cancellation Not Processed" and include the date you originally requested cancellation. Attach the original cancellation email and the confirmation number if you received one.

This verification step takes 2 minutes but protects you from surprise renewal charges.

Request a refund if you are within 14 days

If you cancelled within 14 days of subscribing or renewing, reply to New Scientist's cancellation confirmation email (or send a new email if they did not confirm) with the subject "Refund Request - [Your Subscription Email]". State clearly: "I cancelled my subscription within 14 days of [subscription start date]. Please refund the full subscription fee of RM [amount] to my original payment method."

Include your order number, the date you paid, and the amount charged. New Scientist should process the refund within 14 days. If they do not, follow up after 10 days with a second email. If still no refund after 20 days total, contact your bank or credit card company and request a chargeback (a reversal of the charge), citing your cancellation request as proof.

Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers recover refunds by documenting this step and following up persistently.

Save any content or data you want to keep

After cancellation, you will lose access to your back issues and account history. If you want to keep reading copies or your subscription history, take screenshots or download issues before your access expires. Some users screenshot key articles or save PDFs to their computer.

New Scientist does not explicitly state how long they retain your account data after cancellation, so saving any invoices, issue lists, or personal reading notes is wise. Once your access period ends, you cannot retrieve this information from the app or website.

Common mistakes when cancelling and how to avoid them

Cancellation frustration often comes from simple missteps that are easy to prevent if you know what to watch for.

Mistake 1: cancelling through the wrong channel

You subscribed through Apple App Store but emailed New Scientist to cancel, or vice versa. New Scientist never sees the cancellation, your account remains active with the app platform, and you get charged again. To avoid this: confirm where you subscribed (direct, Apple, or Google) before you do anything else. Cancel in that same place, not elsewhere.

Mistake 2: assuming a cancellation confirmation means you are done

New Scientist sends a confirmation email, so you assume the cancellation is complete. Two weeks later, you are charged again. The confirmation proves you requested cancellation, but you did not verify that the subscription actually stopped. Always log into your account and confirm the status shows "cancelled" or "inactive" within 2 days of your cancellation request.

Mistake 3: cancelling too close to the renewal date

You request cancellation on the renewal date itself. Because of time zone differences or processing delays, New Scientist's system processes the renewal charge before your cancellation request is recorded. If you are near the renewal date, cancel immediately and keep the cancellation confirmation. If you are charged anyway, request a refund and cite your cancellation email as proof you acted in time. Tocancel recommends cancelling at least 3 days before your renewal date to avoid this risk.

Mistake 4: not saving proof of cancellation

You cancel by email or app, but you do not save a screenshot or copy of the confirmation. A few weeks later, you are charged and cannot prove you cancelled. Download and file every confirmation: confirmation emails from New Scientist, screenshots of the app showing "cancelled status", and email copies of your cancellation request. Store these in a folder or note app for 6-12 months after cancellation.

These four mistakes account for most unresolved cancellation complaints. Prevent them and your cancellation will go smoothly.

Pricing comparison: New Scientist and alternatives

Before you cancel, it may help to understand how New Scientist pricing compares to other digital science publications, so you can decide whether to stay, switch, or cancel entirely.

New Scientist is competitively priced in the premium science magazine market. If cost is your reason for cancelling, shop these alternatives first. If you are cancelling because of access issues, support problems, or changed reading habits, the decision is more personal. Tocancel is here to make sure your cancellation is smooth regardless of your reason.

Refund eligibility and timeline

Not all cancellations result in refunds, but understanding when you qualify removes uncertainty.

When you are entitled to a refund

You cancelled within 14 days of subscribing or renewing: you qualify for a full refund of that billing period's cost. This is your right under the cooling-off period, and New Scientist must honour it without question.

You cancelled after the 14-day window: you do not qualify for an automatic refund, but you may still claim one if (a) New Scientist failed to deliver the service (for example, print issues were not delivered), (b) there was a billing error, or (c) the company continued charging you after you sent a valid cancellation request. In these cases, you have grounds to dispute the charge with your bank and file a consumer complaint.

Refund processing timeline

If New Scientist approves your refund, expect 10-21 days for the money to appear back in your original payment method. Credit card refunds may take 1-2 billing cycles (30-60 days) to show because of how credit card companies process reversals. If you do not see the refund within 21 days, email [email protected] asking for a refund status update and include your original subscription email and the date you requested cancellation.

If they do not process the refund within 30 days, contact your bank and initiate a chargeback. Provide your bank with the cancellation email and any refund request you sent. Your bank will recover the money on your behalf within 30-90 days.

If New Scientist refuses to cancel or keeps charging you

You sent a cancellation request, verified it was received, but New Scientist ignored it and charged you again. This is a breach of consumer rights, and you have clear escalation steps.

First escalation: formal complaint to New Scientist

Send a registered email to [email protected] with the subject "Formal Complaint: Unauthorized Billing After Cancellation Request". State the facts clearly: "I requested cancellation of my subscription on [date] via [email/app platform]. I have not cancelled my consent to future charges. Despite this, I was charged RM [amount] on [date]. Please reverse this charge immediately and confirm in writing that my subscription is cancelled." Include screenshots of your cancellation request, confirmation emails, and billing statements showing the unwanted charge. Give New Scientist 10 business days to respond.

Keep this email and any response as evidence.

Second escalation: bank chargeback

If New Scientist does not reply or refuses to refund after 10 days, contact your bank or credit card company. Tell them: "I requested cancellation of a magazine subscription on [date]. The company continued charging me after cancellation. I have proof of my cancellation request [show the email]. Please reverse the charge and investigate." Your bank will open a dispute and contact New Scientist. Most chargebacks succeed when you provide evidence of the cancellation request.

Third escalation: consumer complaint to KPDN or tribunal tuntutan konsumen

If the chargeback fails or the amount is too small for your bank to pursue, file a complaint with Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup (KPDN). You can file online via the KPDN website or visit your nearest KPDN office. Provide copies of your cancellation request, billing records, and any correspondence with New Scientist. The tribunal will investigate and can order New Scientist to refund you plus compensation for the inconvenience.

Tocancel recommends keeping all evidence (emails, screenshots, billing statements) in one folder so you can submit it quickly if you need to escalate.

Your legal right to cancel is strong. Enforcement agencies take subscription disputes seriously because they are common, and New Scientist will comply when faced with an official complaint.

Key checklist for a successful cancellation

Use this checklist to ensure you cancel New Scientist correctly and protect yourself from surprise charges:

• Confirm where you subscribed (direct website, Apple App Store, or Google Play)
• Log into your account and save a screenshot of your current plan and renewal date
• Check if you are within 14 days of subscribing or renewing (check your confirmation email for the start date)
• Send your cancellation request through the correct channel:
  • Direct subscription: email [email protected]
  • Apple: cancel in the App Store Subscriptions section
  • Google Play: cancel in the Google Play Subscriptions section
• Keep a copy of your cancellation request and any confirmation
• Wait 2 business days, then log into your account and verify the subscription status shows "cancelled" or "inactive"
• If within 14 days of subscribing, submit a refund request with your original subscription email and date
• If you are charged after cancellation, email New Scientist immediately to report the error
• If New Scientist does not refund within 20 days, contact your bank and file a chargeback
• If the refund dispute continues, file a complaint with KPDN or Tribunal Tuntutan Konsumen

Final steps and how to use tocancel to verify your rights

You now understand your legal rights, the three ways to cancel, and the refund timeline. The final step is action.

Cancel today and verify within 48 hours

Open your email or app store and send your cancellation request right now. Do not wait for the renewal date because delays increase the risk of an unwanted charge. Forward the confirmation to a personal email or save the screenshot somewhere safe. Within 2 days, log back into your account and verify the subscription shows as "cancelled". If it does not, send a follow-up email the same day.

Keep evidence and escalate if needed

Store every email, screenshot, and billing record in one folder for 12 months after cancellation. If you are charged after cancelling, you will have everything you need to dispute it quickly. Tocancel recommends a simple system: a folder on your phone or computer labeled "New Scientist Cancellation" with dated screenshots and email copies inside.

Know your consumer protection authority

Malaysia's consumer rights are enforced by Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup (KPDN) and Tribunal Tuntutan Konsumen. If New Scientist ignores your cancellation or refuses to refund, you can file a complaint with either body. They are free to use and have successfully resolved thousands of subscription disputes.

Why tocancel helps consumers cancel with confidence

Tocancel (tocancel.com) is built to translate complex cancellation steps into clear, actionable guidance. This guide gives you the exact language to use, the right channels to contact, and your legal position under Malaysian law. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover refunds by following steps like these.

Your right to cancel is strong. New Scientist cannot legally keep you subscribed if you ask to leave, and if they try, enforcement agencies will back you. Use the methods in this guide, save your proof, and act confidently. Tocancel is here to make sure your cancellation is smooth and your rights are protected every step of the way.

Contact information for New Scientist cancellation

Below is the verified contact information for New Scientist subscriptions. Note that New Scientist does not maintain a physical office in Malaysia, so all communication is by email or online.

Email is the most reliable method for direct New Scientist cancellations because it creates a paper trail. App Store and Google Play cancellations are instant and do not require following up with New Scientist. If you have any trouble, Tocancel recommends contacting your bank or KPDN to enforce your consumer rights. You are entitled to cancel, and these agencies exist to help you do so.